I am New in KSA - Jeddah

[Riaan]

This is my first time in KSA. I have arrived a week ago. I though by know I would have run into anyone from South Africa, but no. How did all of you manage the first couple of day’s weeks, months without your families? What is the best, easiest way to get in contact with other South Africans? I am currently staying in the Mura Bustan Compound, but would like to find out where is the best place to stay as I would like to get the family over here as well in the future.

Hope I can get some assistance.

Riaan

[Avan]

Riaan , phone me then we can arrange something for the week-end . I will entroduce yoy to as many people as possible then
0551518616

[Riaan]

Thanks, will contact you tonight.

[Sharkie]

Dude,

Dont give up so easy - there are tons of good South African people in Jeddah especially on Sierra and Andulus compounds - I think 50% are from SA - if you count all the nurses.
There are great network structures established in the region as well - get hold of Fredinjed on the site or you can give Avan a call as he ran the SA social side in Jeddah whilst he was there - I played second fiddle.

Mura Bustan there are a lot of teachers from the schools - Jeddah prep who can put you in contact with more SA people for home comfort - but my advise make plenty of friends from all nationalities French , British, Arab countries, USA etc other wise you may find people leaving and arriving all the time - we are transit people now thats the expat life.
Drop us a personal message I will forward names and phone numbers as well.

Sharkie.

[fredinjedda]

Riaan, send me a private message with your email and mobile number. There has just been a great weekend get together of South Africans this last weekend, and we are planning a dinner get together at a local restuarant on Wednesday the 06th of Feb. Contact me and I will get you hooked up with the local community.

Regards
Fredinjeddah

[Riaan]

Hi everyone, just to say, going for 5 weeks now, met some ”good” people, mostly South Africans, and it goes much better. Now I sound like someone from “alcoholic anonymous”.

For each and every one that made contact, thanks.

Sharkie, I don’t know about you, but at this stage the new ruby rules suck, but then again I must admit, every week it “looks” better.

[Sharkie]

Riaan,

You just have to find your circle here in Saudi and to know a group or getting into one is the first step - slowly and surley thats the way...
Glad to hear you are well and enjoying the place now - Network and offer someone else the same when they arrive.

As for Rugby - you must hate the rules as you support the Stormers.... or Lions!!
Sharks seem to be doing just fine - if you have a @#% team dont blame the rules dude....

Sharks Bulls tonight - now we will see.. LOL.

[Chilly]

If you want to know about "circles" then  take a trip on a week-day morning down to Al Andalus - there is a bloody great circle there which will keep you pretty well occupied!!!

If you are living in a compound then join in as many of the activities as you can - and don't be afraid of walking up to people and introducing yourself. Most of the folk are only too happy to meet new faces - it won't be too long before you are an old hand.

And now that Sharkie is in Riyadh you can safely talk about Rugby to anyone - I don't know of anyone else there that actually supports the Sharks. So you are safe enough there!

Enjoy, mate.

[iwan]

Hi All

My name is Iwan I am not that new (3 weeks now) in Jeddah but would like to meet with members. I live "outside" not in a compound. I am in great need of a swimming pool 25 meter or longer in which I can swim lenths, (up and down like a lunetic). I am prepared to pay a membership fee.

Hope you can help

Regards
iwan

[Sharkie]

Iwan,

Please send me a secure message and I will forward you some contacts in Jeddah for you to meet - but dude you must be from Pretoria as there is a big sea waiting to be tackled - but when you need to do lenghts just pick up some goodies in Egypt as well - LOL...

On the other point chilly is right - you bump into people at Al Andulus roundabout - you meet people by accident.

Say No more..

[fredinjedda]

Hi Iwan,

I am asking around about the pool, and will let you know as soon as I have any info.

Regards
Fredinjeddah

[Maplotter]

I have also lived in Mura Bustan and found it a snobbish community

[Maplotter]

jy kan my enige tyd bel. ek was ook baie aansaam in die begin en nou is ons al 3 jaar hier. 055 2669259